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Orbea is releasing a rather aggressive new XC racing bike…fully rigid and carbon fiber, it features some radical design elements. More details below…
[Press Release] We’re debuting the fourth evolution of Orbea’s flagship XC MTB. It’s where it all began. The legend was born in 2006, and since then, Alma has forged its way among Olympic medals and World Cups around the planet.
Alma is for the the quickest lap times. The steepest climbs. Alma is for the strongest accelerations and highest altitudes. Alma is for the biggest stages, the loudest fans and the toughest riders. Alma is for the fiercest competitors, the athletes who accept nothing less than superlatives. When a few fleeting seconds separate fast from faster, Alma is for the fastest.
Alma uses the most technologically advanced carbon construction available to make the most sophisticated frame possible – A complex and painstaking process with results you will appreciate on the trail. The premier Alma OMR frame blends Toray T700, T800 and M40J fibers. Prepreg carbon sheets are laser cut to minimize excess materials and overlap, and hours of premolding ensure optimal compaction with the smallest amount of carbon. A full EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) mold is used to eliminate wrinkles and imperfections.
External forces on the frame under the rider’s weight – cornering stresses or vibration from impacts – have a large effect on control and traction. Creating a natural flex point in the top tube by adding a fourth bend offers an efficient, smooth ride that feels like floating over rough terrain.
In addition, the seat stays of the new Alma are thinner to give maximum traction and control over rough surfaces without compromising global rigidity. The top tube is robust at the head tube where it contributes to torsional stiffness, but quickly tapers to eliminate unnecessary material.
Orbea’s Big Wheels Concept (BWC) is simple… Instead of trying to squeeze everybody on a single wheel size, we offer Big Wheels that are scaled to fit riders of any height. BWC offers five frames in two wheel sizes – Small and Medium frames with 27.5” wheels, Medium, Large and XL frames with 29” wheels. Every rider experiences our legendary XC ride quality in a svelte, fun and fast bike regardless of frame size or wheel size.
Refinements of Alma’s World Cup Geometry reflect the evolution of elite racing. A slacker head angle (69.3°/69.5°) provides stability on increasingly demanding tracks. A steeper seat angle and lower stack height increases handling precision and pedaling efficiency. Shorter (420/430mm) chainstays deliver maximum agility without instability.
Alma becomes more precise and responsive with 420/430mm chainstays and the increased rigidity of a 12mm through-axle system. The Boost 148 standard widens rear axle spacing to 148mm which moves the chainline outboard by 3mm and increases the space available at the bottom bracket. 3mm doesn’t sound like much, but it means that chainstays can be 10mm shorter while increasing tire clearance to allow 2.4” tires. All of it adds up to more durability, nimble handling and a bike that tracks better through rough terrain.
Spirit is an essential part of what makes Alma the best XC hardtail system available. A rigid fork isn’t for everyone, but it might be perfect for you and that’s enough for us. Perhaps the weekend race course doesn’t justify the weight of a suspension fork, or maybe your desire for clean, elegant simplicity is paramount – in these cases a carbon fork tuned specifically for your Alma isn’t just “nice,” it becomes essential.Compatibility with Boost and traditional 100mm spacing with room for 2.8” tires make Spirit a standout among competitors. 29 or 27+ tires fit fine, and of course Spirit is also available in a 27.5 length perfect for our Big Wheels Concept SM and MD Alma frames with the same generous tire clearance – perhaps you can start the 26+ craze.
THE MOST CUSTOMIZED ALMA EVER The Orbea Alma is no ordinary racing bike. Likewise, the Alma rider is not a typical cyclist. You demand performance blended with panache and look for details so subtle as to be missed by the masses. Your Alma reflects your desire for excellence so make it truly yours with MyO. Our in-house manufacturing capabilities and know-how let us pay meticulous attention to every step of the MyO process so all you have to do is choose the colors, select your favorite components and add your name on the top tube. Designing your dream bike incurs no additional cost, and your MyO Alma OMR will be delivered to you in an average of four weeks after placing your order.
